LEGISLATIVE VISITS

Catherine Thomasson, MD

Why Lobby?

Influence specific legislation.Provide in-depth information on your issue.Convey the views of many constituents.Learn about what is happening with your

issue in this Congress.

Build a relationship with your legislator.

Why HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS have a responsibility to lobby

Problem: Burning coal and other dirty fossil fuels is polluting our air and our water, and dangerously destabilizing our climate. Air pollution and climate change are harming our health now – through asthma, lung and heart disease, heat waves, violent storms, wildfires, and infectious diseases. It will worsen if we don’t take effective steps to protect ourselves.

So what? Anyone and everyone’s health can be harmed by climate change. But the people whose health is likely to be hurt first, and worst, are our nation’s infants and children, older adults, people who already have a chronic health condition, people who work outdoors, and the poorest Americans.

Benefits? The sooner we take steps to protect ourselves, the sooner every U.S. family, community and business will benefit from cleaner air & water, better health, lower health care costs, and stronger communities. Clean Energy and energy efficiency creates more jobs than coal.A useful way to think about it: What’s good for our climate is good for our health, and what’s good for our health is good for our climate.

Solutions? We need to fully implement America’s Clean Power Plan. Doing so will reduce heat trapping gases and help limit climate change. It will also create immediate health benefits for everyone by reducing soot- and smog-causing pollution.The Clean Power Plan has done a good job in protecting the air we breathe. We need to support the Ozone Rule and the CPP to protect our health. Protecting ourselves from the health effects of climate change is the right thing to do – and the smart thing to do.

Issue: Implementing the Clean Air Act & Clean Power Plan will protect our health

More than 97% of climate scientists have concluded that human-caused climate change is happening, and research has proven that it is already harming the health of many of us. As a health professional, I have a duty to protect people from further harm by taking steps to address climate change.

What do you need to do to get ready?

Know your Congressperson

Be well informed about your subject

Formulate a focused ‘ask’

Senator Kirsten GillibrandD- NY

Know a Legislator: Govtrack

www.climat

www.govtrack.us

Know a Legislator: Govtrack

Better Know a Legislator: Govtrack

Better Know a Legislator: LCV

Better Know a Legislator: LCV

Know the issue and the bills

Go to Congress.gov Look up the Ratepayer Protection Act (HR 2042) passed

the House 6/25/15. There is no current Senate bill It would block EPA from enforcing the CPP until all court

actions are final This type of bill is helpful to know how people voted

before you visit your legislator.

Prepare for the meeting

Review congressional websites-especially the sponsors

Know your legislator’s voting record on this issue

Senate Bill 2074

Tracking the Bill

3 Types of “Ask’s”

1 – Co-sponsor or support a bill/resolution2 – Sign onto a letter3 – Speak to an issue (on floor, in committee, at an event, op-ed)

0r….

4 – Develop a relationship with a staffer

The CPP ask based on legislator position

Moderate Ask: Would you be willing to put out a statement acknowledging the impacts of climate change on public health?

Conservative Ask: We understand that we may disagree on the mechanisms to reduce carbon pollution. We ask that you not co-sponsor legislation that would block the Clean Power Plan.

Champion Asks: Would you be willing to host a briefing on climate and health with health professionals?

The Ozone ask based on legislator position

Champs: Issue a supportive statement when EPA announces its final ozone standard, as long as it’s in the range EPA proposed (60-70 ppb)

Swings or Moderates: Oppose any legislative attempts to block, weaken, or delay Clean Air Act protections, including a more protective ozone standard

Organize your Meeting

Assign roles-choose a leaderWhat questions to ask the staff?

What is their Position on Ozone Rule? Do they support the CPP for their state?

Organize your information Health impacts of burning fossil fuels Health impacts of climate change Review the CPP benefits to public health

Determine who makes the askAssign a note-takerPRACTICE

Problem: Burning coal and other dirty fossil fuels is polluting our air and our water, and dangerously destabilizing our climate. Air pollution and climate change are harming our health now – through asthma, lung and heart disease, heat waves, violent storms, wildfires, and infectious diseases. It will worsen if we don’t take effective steps to protect ourselves.

So what? Anyone and everyone’s health can be harmed by climate change. But the people whose health is likely to be hurt first, and worst, are our nation’s infants and children, older adults, people who already have a chronic health condition, people who work outdoors, and the poorest Americans.

Benefits? The sooner we take steps to protect ourselves, the sooner every U.S. family, community and business will benefit from cleaner air & water, better health, lower health care costs, and stronger communities. Clean Energy and energy efficiency creates more jobs than coal.A useful way to think about it: What’s good for our climate is good for our health, and what’s good for our health is good for our climate.

Solutions? We need to fully implement America’s Clean Power Plan. Doing so will reduce heat trapping gases and help limit climate change. It will also create immediate health benefits for everyone by reducing soot- and smog-causing pollution.The Clean Power Plan has done a good job in protecting the air we breathe. We need to support the Ozone Rule and the CPP to protect our health. Protecting ourselves from the health effects of climate change is the right thing to do – and the smart thing to do.

Issue: Implementing the Clean Power

Plan will protect our health

More than 97% of climate scientists have

concluded that human-caused climate change is happening,

and research has proven that it is

already harming the health of many of us.

As a health professional, I have a duty to protect people from further harm by

taking steps to address climate

change.

At the Meeting

Arrive earlyIntroductionsStart out positive, make a connection,

provide a thanksFind out how much your staffer is familiar

with the issue or their position on your request (50/50 rule)

Treat them with respect (whether you agree with them or not), follow structure, and say “thank you”

After the Meeting

Leave a business card and your information (max 1 page)

Follow up with a thank you email, include your ask (staffer will then save you as a contact)

“Circle back” the next week or so with a phone call to follow up on action ask

Always leave with some sign of support• “We want to be a resource for you”

“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with

their own government.”

-Thomas Jefferson